Towing and Road-trip Question

[Cajun Jamie]

I just bought my 2006 Tahoe Z71 with RWD and about 160k on the engine and 180K on the tranny (PO had dealer replace engine after camshaft bearings wore. Engine was required to have 20k or fewer miles than original engine with 168k at the time. So with 180 on the odometer, I am taking off 20k miles).

Anywho, I bought this truck because I own a 17-foot Boston Whaler boat that weighs 1500 pounds total with trailer. I live in the DFW area and would like to pull my boat once or twice a year, about 300-400 miles (5-6 hours) to fish the coast. No hills, mountains, etc. I have a 6 month/ 6k mile powertrain warranty good through July. However, what are your thoughts on making occasional long-distance trips with or without the boat with this mileage?

I already dropped the tranny pan and changed the filter and gasket and 5qts fluid. Changed seal and fluid on rear diff. Putting new Bilstein shocks on this weekend. Going to check brakes and rotors and steering arms.

My greatest fear is the transmission and 180k, just blowing up on the highway. Am I over-worrying?

Thanks!

 

[SnowDrifter]

Put it in tow haul mode and drop to third. Occasional tow is fine. Go easy on the throttle, specially up any mountain passes.

I'm in the same boat(hehe) as you. Tow a 4-7k trailer(depends on whats in it) on a 300ish mile trip once a year. 140k on mine no issues. I do, however, have the corvette servo, and a tune to firm shifts. Have an upgraded trans cooler but that was only installed recently. I change out my trans fluid pretty regularly. Drain/fill the pan every other oil change. Change the filter every 30k. Which reminds me, I'm coming up on my next interval

 

[Cajun Jamie]

Put it in tow haul mode and drop to third. Occasional tow is fine. Go easy on the throttle, specially up any mountain passes.

I'm in the same boat(hehe) as you. Tow a 4-7k trailer(depends on whats in it) on a 300ish mile trip once a year. 140k on mine no issues. I do, however, have the corvette servo, and a tune to firm shifts. Have an upgraded trans cooler but that was only installed recently. I change out my trans fluid pretty regularly. Drain/fill the pan every other oil change. Change the filter every 30k. Which reminds me, I'm coming up on my next interval

Thanks!
On a side note, with about 180k if I were to just drive 6-7 hours on flat highway at 65-70mph, is the tranny at risk for failure, just based on the miles it has?

 

[08HoeCD]

Just driving without towing?
NO PROBLEM

 

[Bart Hinder]

1500 lbs? Go for it. I wouldn't worry.
You're gonna like the Bilsteins.

 

[Bart Hinder]

Rockport?

 

[corvette744]

Sounds kinda light for a 17 ft boston with outbaord and trailer.Hell my 18 ft aluminum boat with a 115 weighs 2600 with trailer-single axle.1500 lbs is nothing you wont even notice it.If you are having no problems at all right now with the trans i would not worry for 1 minute about it.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Thanks!
On a side note, with about 180k if I were to just drive 6-7 hours on flat highway at 65-70mph, is the tranny at risk for failure, just based on the miles it has?

I'd think you would be more prone to fail in suburban areas than highway.

Lots of air, low temps, not shifting through gears save for the odd pass or incline

There were some changes in the 04-05 era iirc. When Chevy went to electronic throttle bodies. Don't see near the same failure rate on the late models as you did on the earlier ones.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe they went to hardened spines on the sunshell, introduced torque management to pull timing during shifts. Larger input shaft too

180k can be either EOL or fine depending on previous maintenance. Just don't know.

 

[Cajun Jamie]

Thanks y'all! When I dropped the pan, it looked as good as can be expected. She shifts like butter - so smooth.

Bart, I just moved the boat from SW La a few months back and haven't hit the TX coast yet. I kayak and boat fish so I am looking forward to any and all coastal options to fish!

 

[Bart Hinder]

Bart, I just moved the boat from SW La a few months back and haven't hit the TX coast yet. I kayak and boat fish so I am looking forward to any and all coastal options to fish!

I don't fish myself but my buds who do like the Port Aransas area. We had a great time at the ANWR when we went to see the whooping cranes. It's funny, but the central aisle in the HEB stores in the Hill Country are all about BBQ. In Rockport, it's all about fishing.